• Newsletter: May 11, 2022

    Music in the garden

    May 19th 6 pm

    Colton Kayser and Pepperwine, bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy

    Updates

    May 14 Work Group B
    9 to 11 am

    Tasks

    • Front flower bed maintenance
    • Weeding perimeter of fencing
    • Irrigation check list

    Work group sign ups if you haven’t signed up with a work group please join a work group by signing up with Marie. S0874232@monmouth.Edu

    In case of inclement weather on a work day, gardeners and volunteers are recommended to make up their work day on another Saturday. Work day cancellations will be made aware via email.

  • Newsletter: October 28, 2021

    New shed details: we are working with the university as well as the town to establish whether we need a permit for the new shed. We hope that this will not impede the process and I will keep you updated. For now, your current shed will stay intact until further notice.

    This Week

    Monday: i harvested almost 50 pounds of swiss chard and there is still more to cut in two weeks. I did not get to cut back oak tree and cherry tree quite yet but will soon.

    Friday: please turn the compost to the best of your ability.

    Next Week

    Special thanks from Marie Weimer; social work intern

    As the garden beds are less active after November 2nd there’s still much happening to prepare for the upcoming season. Anyone interested in lending a helping hand or sharing your experiences from this past year please email me at s0874232@gmail.Com. All shared stories and efforts will help support the garden’s mission and vision!

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: October 21, 2021

    Tomorrow’s fall festival: Monmouth University’s school of social work & occupational therapy are hosting a fall festival for all on October 22nd from 4 – 6 pm at the garden. It will consist of inter-generational events, games, snacks, and fall activities.

    This Week

    Friday: harvest swiss chard and turn compost. Cut back oak tree and cherry tree.

    Figs. Please help yourself to the figs for the remainder of the season. Enjoy!

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Clean up back fence
    • Begin to organize shed

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Compost!!
    • Weed the front flower beds.

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: October 14, 2021

    Fall harvest festival event: Monmouth University’s school of social work & occupational therapy are hosting a fall festival for all on October 22nd from 4 – 6 pm at the garden. It will consist of inter-generational events, games, snacks, and fall activities.

    This Week

    We harvested winter squash, swiss chard, beets, and peppers. Garden beds 7a, 9a, 9b, 11a, 11b, 13a, 13b, 19a, and 19b have been seeded with field peas. This is the first step in building healthier soils.

    Friday: turn compost, irrigate the cover crop beds from above, and harvest sweet potatoes in garden bed 28b and figs!

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Clean up back fence
    • Begin to organize shed
    • Prune cherry tree

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Compost!!
    • Weed the front flower beds.

    Vegetable of the Week: Garlic

    Clove Depth: 2-3″
    Clove Spacing: 6″
    Hardneck cloves per bulb: 5-10
    Hardneck cloves per pound: 40-65
    Softneck cloves per bulb: 6-18
    Softneck cloves per pound: 50-90

    Folklore is rife with tales of garlic’s ability to bestow strength and courage, treat a vast array of disease and infections, and to ward off evil. Modern day medicine has shown this remarkable food to be powerfully effective at boosting the immune system, supporting cardiovascular health, and fighting cancer.

    Hardneck Garlic: Allium sativum subsp. ophioscorodon Cloves grow in a single circle around a central woody stem. These varieties also produce, or attempt to produce, a flower-like stalk. What makes these garlics stand out is the range and quality of flavors they exhibit. Hardneck garlics typically have a shorter storage life than softnecks.

    Softneck Garlic: Allium sativum subsp. sativum These varieties produce cloves in several layers around a soft central stem. Approximate cloves per pound can vary based on seasonal conditions and the variety. These easy-to-grow garlics are excellent in the kitchen and usually have the best storage qualities. Great for braiding.

    Culture

    • Garlic thrives in rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0
    • Work in 1 inch layer of compost, 1/2 cup of bone meal, 1/2 cup fertilizer per 5 row feet
    • When spring growth begins: water to keep the soil slightly moist, and fertilize
    • As harvest approaches: water less to avoid molding or staining
    • Hardnecks: cut off any flowering stems (scapes) at the top leaf to redirect energy to the bulb; scapes can be used like green onions

    Direct Sowing

    • In Northern regions, garlic is best planted by the end of October, or 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes
    • Southern regions may plant as late as March
    • Separate the cloves of garlic just prior to planting, keeping as much skin on as possible
    • Plant cloves pointed end up
    • Mulch with clean straw or leaves to 4 inches

    Harvest & Storage

    • Harvest when the top 4-5 leaves are slightly green and lower leaves are dry
    • Begin checking for mature bulbs in late June
    • Each green leaf represents one layer of covering over the bulb in the ground
    • Tie the plants in small bundles and dry in a cool, shaded, well-ventilated location for about 3-4 weeks
    • After curing is done, cut foliage and roots from bulbs and store in mesh bags
    • Softnecks: you can keep leaves on and braid the whole plant

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: October 7, 2021

    Fundraising event: Thursday, October 7th inkwell coffeehouse is hosting a fundraiser for our garden. The event begins at 7:30 pm. Inkwell coffeehouse 665 2nd Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740

    This Week

    As gardeners, begin to think about what you would like to learn next season in the garden. We will begin to create next year’s schedule with loads of events and activities.

    Friday: turn compost, prune back dried cherry fruits from the tree, harvest figs aggressively. I have noticed them rotting on the vine. Thank you.

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Field pea cover crop
    • Harvest chard, master gardener bed
    • Herb maintenance

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Compost!!
    • Prune cherry tree

    Fundraiser of the Week

    Noise in the Attic brings you, A benefit shoe for the Virginia A. Cory Community Garden.

    Thursday Oct 7, 2021

    Doors at 7:30 p.m. Music at 8 p.m.

    Admission: suggested $5 minimum donation

    Little Hag (Solo)
    Foes of Fern
    Joseph Alton Miller

    Inkwell Coffeehouse

    All Proceeds go to support he Monmouth University Virginia A Cory Community Garden

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: October 1, 2021

    Fundraising event: Thursday, October 7th inkwell coffeehouse is hosting a fundraiser for our garden. The event begins at 7:30 pm. Inkwell coffeehouse 665 2nd Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740

    This Week

    This week we saw the end of the tomatoes. We have pulled them out of the their garden beds and will plant a field pea crop to enrich the soil.

    Turn compost please. As a reminder, please let me know if you are interested in covering your garden bed with field peas.

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • field pea cover crop
    • harvest chard, master gardener bed
    • herb maintenance

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • compost!!
    • prune cherry tree

    Cover Crop of the Week

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: September 24, 2021

    Fundraising event: Thursday, October 7th Inkwell coffeehouse is hosting a fundraiser for our garden. The event begins at 7:30 pm. Inkwell Coffeehouse 665 2nd Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740

    This Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Deconstruct tomatoes
    • Rye grass cover crop

    Next Week

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Compost area clean up.
    • Bring wood against fence to the curb.

    Cover Crop of the Week

    A complicated chart describing which cover crops to plant and when for the winter.

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: September 16, 2021

    Meditation event: in the garden in honor of his holiness the Dalai Lama: the courage to love event in the garden is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21 at 6 pm. Please see the website and social media platforms to sign up. Bring a blanket or chair, as we will sitting in the area adjacent to the garden.

    This Week

    We harvested another 140 pounds for reformation this week. Lettuce keep the momentum! We have seeded bed 25 with spinach.

    Friday crew: (9am to 12 pm)

    • Seed cover crop in tomato and tomatillo beds, tamp & water in. Cover crop bin is inside the shed.

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Spread mulch near gate
    • Turn compost
    • Event preparation (Tuesday 5 pm)

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Harvest available produce
    • Turn compost next week:

    Vegetable of the Week

    Chart of various plants and when they can be planted and harvested relative to winter. Provided by the Territorial seed company.

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
  • Newsletter: September 9, 2021

    This Week

    Reminder

    The Courage to Love event in the garden is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21st at 6 Pm. Please see the website and social media platforms to sign up.

    Friday crew: (9am to 12 pm)

    Harvest any available vegetables, turn compost piles, spread mulch from gate to curbside as to mimic a driveway please.

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: 4 pm to 6 pm

    • Harvest
    • Cultivation

    Friday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Harvest available vegetables.
    • Seed cover crop in tomato and tomatillo beds, tamp & water in. (I will leave bin)

    Marie Weimer

    Please help me in welcoming Marie Weimer, a university intern who will be supporting our garden community as well as pursuing macro social work goals. Marie will bring a fresh perspective to our garden, as she is impassioned through both social and environmental justice. Thanks Marie!

    Mugarden21@monmouth.Edu

    Please stay safe and healthy!

    Vegetable of the Week

    Planning for Fall & Winter

    • For fall harvest: schedule your plantings so that tender crops mature by your first frost date
    • Other cool-season vegetables can last into winter but should generally be harvested and stored inside or in a root cellar before temperatures reach freeze-out point
    • For winter harvest: in areas with milder winters, crops can be grown to maturity before growth is effectively halted by decreasing day length and cold temperatures
    • For spring/overwintering harvest: time your crops so that they are established but not mature at the onset of winter; successfully overwintered crops will produce early in spring
    • Crops that overwinter well include leafy greens, some root vegetables, peas, onions, garlic, and sprouting crops like broccoli

    Site Selection & Soil Preparation

    • Overwintering crops should be spaced wider than spring or fall planted crops; this increases air flow, discourages pests, and allows the soil to dry out

    Timing

    • The challenge to successfully growing winter crops is getting them established in the right time frame, often in summer when the weather is hot and dry —starting seedlings indoors, as well as using shade cloth and overhead watering will help keep seedlings cool during establishment
    • Delaying planting a few days in the summer can translate to delayed fall or winter harvest by weeks
    • For the most part, days to maturity (DTM) listed for each variety are for spring planting; to adjust DTM for fall/winter harvest, take stated DTM and add 2-3 weeks to account for slower growth due to shortening days.

    Fertility

    • Because nutrient uptake slows during the winter, avoid fertilizing too heavily in the fall
    • Foliar feeds are a good way to feed plants in the fall

    Winter to Spring Harvest

    • Only plant winter-hardy or overwintering varieties for winter or spring harvest
    • Overwintered greens such as kale and collards will produce delicious flower stalks in the spring
    • Most root vegetables can overwinter in the ground; plan on harvesting them all by spring, as they will bolt when the weather warms up and the days get longer

    Season Extension Methods

    • When used properly in combination, season extension can add up to a month on either end of the growing season
    • Raised beds elevate plants above the ground, warming the soil and improving access to light
    • Reemay and frost blankets cover plants, trapping in solar warmth, and protecting against frost damage
    • Low tunnels are waist-high frames fashioned from PVC or electrical conduit, and covered with Reemay or greenhouse plastic that cover a row or two
    • Cloches are small bell-shaped vessels that create a mini-greenhouse around individual plants

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds
    • Cold frames are small boxes that create a greenhouse around small plots, usually using glass or clear plastic panes
  • Newsletter: September 2, 2021

    Please stay safe and healthy!

    Junior Girl Scouts of Ocean Township

    It has been a great season in terms of volunteer groups this season because of the junior girl scouts of ocean township. Week in and week out they have showed up with exuberance and zeal. As the school year begins, we are seeing the group lessen in size but they will mostly continue into late October.

    This Week

    please be aware! Beds 1, 3, 39 have been seeded with cover crops. The junior girl scouts also transplanted swiss chard into bed 17b. Keep september 21st open as a mu event date.

    Friday crew: (9am to 12 pm) Harvest any available vegetables, prune dead cherries on cherry tree near shed. (Green bins, not compost), turn compost piles.

    Next Week

    Monday priorities: labor day – please do not harvest

    Fiday priorities: 9 am to 12 pm

    • Harvest available vegetables.
    • Seed cover crop in tomato and tomatillo beds, tamp & water in. (I will leave bin)

    Vegetable of the Week: Radish

    Soil Temp for Germ: 45-80°F
    Days to Emergence: 4-11
    Seed Depth: 1/2″
    Thin Plants To: 1-2″
    Seed Spacing: 1/2″
    Row Spacing: 8-12″
    Min. Germ.: 80%
    Seed Life: 4 years
    Seeds per gram: ≈ 80
    Fertilizer Needs: Low

    Raphanus sativus Radishes are best sown in spring or late summer, maturing when days are shorter, sunlight weaker, and temperatures milder; though some varieties are better able to handle summer conditions. The mildly spicy roots, low in calories and rich in fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants, have good qualities as a digestive tonic or to clear the sinuses and ease sore throats. Anti-microbial properties made them a detoxifier in traditional medicine, and couple with high vitamin C for an immune boost. Don’t discard the tops, as they are even denser with nutrients.

    Days to maturity: 30-40

    Culture

    • Prepare the bed by working compost into the top 2-3 inches of soil
    • Needs consistent soil moisture due to shallow root systems
    • Dry or crowded conditions will slow growth and make roots hot or pithy
    • The season may be extended from February through October by sowing in cold frames or using row covers
    • For extended harvests plant every two weeks

    Direct Sowing

    • Direct sow spring through early-summer
    • Three grams will sow 7-8 row feet
    • It is essential to thin promptly when they form 2 true leaves
    • Sow mid-August—mid-September for a fall crop

    Insects & Diseases

    • Common insects: See Brassica Insect Information below
    • Disease prevention: 5-7 year crop rotation

    Harvest & Storage

    • Harvest while still young (before splitting)
    • Remove tops before storing
    • Let a few plants bolt and make a seed pod — green pods have a crunchy, mild radish flavor
    • Store at 36°F and 100% relative humidity

    Workday Task List

    Weeding

    • Perimeter of fence (inside and outside)
    • Shed and Compost areas
    • Perimeter of communal raised beds
    • Pollinator beds outside fenced area

    Cleaning and Organizing

    • Communal materials
    • Shed
    • Tools

    General Maintenance

    • Pulling dead plants and crops
    • Repairing Hoses and Irrigation lines
    • Repair and maintain rain barrel
    • Repairing fence

    Seasonal or As needed

    • Soil installation
    • Woodchip/mulch installation
    • Harvesting crops
    • Irrigating pollinator beds